SAFARI ADVENTURE

Houston fulfilled a lifelong dream by starting a safari business in Africa, which he knew only through books and films. Describing his first extended safari—a month-long trek into areas tourists seldom see—he gives a broad picture of the land, the people, and the sometimes dangerous wildlife, while also conveying a sense of the still-untouched wilderness and his joy in the adventure of exploration. Other members of the party—his partner Jack, two young Danish women, and two American men—are less vividly realized; only ``Orange Blossom,'' a tiny grandmother with a head of orange hair, takes on real dimension. Everyone helps cook, set up tents, and push vehicles at need. They climb Kilimanjaro, drive across deserts, visit tribes, and- -in a fitting finale—spend several harrowing days reaching the site of Osa and Martin Johnson's home. Houston's fine descriptions capture the magic of African wildlife and scenery so well that readers will be eager to pack up and go. Color photos not seen. (Nonfiction. 12+)